BUCKDEN ARCHAEOLOGY
Lucks Lane
Excavations and Finds
by Barry Jobling 2021 ©
Buckden has a rich archaeological history. Immediately below are Barry's posters from the Exhibition held on 30th April- 3 May 2022. As you scroll down find out about other archaeological finds in and around Buckden.
PREHISTORIC TIMES
Archaeological excavations have been carried out in and around Buckden for over 100 years and have revealed a surprising record of humans living here for over 400,000 years. The earliest finds have been two Stone Age Palaeolithic flint hand axes, one found between Vineyard Way and the sports field and the other near the junction of Church Street and Silver Street, both made and used by early Homo Sapiens.Â
The Acheulean Hand Axe (above), approximately 7 x 5 inches of c.400,000 BC, was found in a Vineyard Way garden c1980, but was taken to Australia when the finder emigrated there.
Of similar dates, c.600,000-200,000 BC, are flint blades and a reindeer antler tool found in a field north-east of Silver Street and Bishops Way and mammoth teeth found in gravel pits on Margett’s Farm near the River Great Ouse.
A Bronze Age (c.2,500-1,000 BC) settlement was uncovered by the A14 dig north of Mill Road in 2015 and another north-east of Bishops Way in 2016.  Margett’s Farm includes an Iron Age (c.800 BC–42 AD) settlement.
THE ROMAN PERIOD
(43-410 AD)
Alt Margett’s Farm are traces of a Roman settlement and vineyard. The remains of further Roman structures have been found at the Stirtloe Lane and Leadens Lane junction, in fields north-east of Silver Street and Bishops Way, and another containing significant pottery and tiles found in the 1960s adjacent to Bishops Way and Greenway. Other Roman remains were uncovered in Silver Street in the 1970s. Roman coins from the 2nd to 4th centuries have been recovered near the Manor House, the church and Towers, Monks Cottages, and several in Church Street.
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Above, a Roman settlement in Cambridgeshire. Courtesy of www.histeco.com.
THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD
(C.900-1600 AD)
A 10th century, boat-shaped possibly Viking building was excavated during construction of the present A1 just north of the roundabout in 1961, now under the northbound carriageway. Norman and medieval (1066-1600 AD) sites were excavated in the Towers in the 1920s and of course the parish church contains much medieval material.
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Above, A reconstruction of a medieval village. Courtesy of Google.com
A14 ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS
One of the largest archaeological programmes ever undertaken in the UK
A new Heritage Centre for Northstowe and Longstanton will showcase discoveries made during the archaeological works from the A14 upgrade and Northstowe New Town project.
The centre, is scheduled to open in the autumn of 2022.
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A link to details of the Heritage Centre is https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/new-heritage-centre-for-northstowe-and-longstanton-under-way
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Other links of interest to the A14 work are at the bottom of the page
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